CD Projekt Red is leveraging cutting-edge AI technology to bring back Jacek Rozenek, the voice actor of Geralt in The Witcher 3, for the upcoming expansion, Songs of the Past. Due to a health issue that affected his voice after a stroke in 2019, Rozenek's voice is now lower-pitched compared to his original recordings for the game in 2014. To bridge this gap and maintain consistency, the developers are using Respeecher, an AI voice modulator, to adjust Rozenek's voice to match his earlier performances. The process was a meticulous one, involving numerous hours of training models and working closely with the CD Projekt Red team. The company secured Rozenek's approval for this innovative approach, with him expressing confidence in the game creators and their ability to handle the dynamics and acting aspects of Geralt's voice. However, CD Projekt Red is mindful of the controversy surrounding AI in gaming, emphasizing that this use of technology is a special case and would not be applied without the explicit consent of the voice actor in future projects.
In an unprecedented move for the industry, CD Projekt Red has demonstrated its commitment to respecting the rights of voice actors while pushing boundaries with AI technology. The company's localization producer, Mikołaj Szwed, confirmed that they would not use AI tools to alter a voice actor's performance without their explicit permission, even for future Witcher games like The Witcher 4 where Geralt's age and character development might justify a deeper voice.
This innovative approach is raising eyebrows in the gaming community, as the use of AI in game development continues to be a subject of debate. Last year, controversies erupted around AI-generated content being discovered in games like Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 and Crimson Desert. As the gaming industry evolves, it will be interesting to see how developers continue to navigate the intersection between AI technology and ethical considerations for voice actors.
Jackie Thomas, Senior Tech Editor at IGN, provides insights into this rapidly evolving landscape, with her expertise spanning over a decade in covering gaming hardware for various publications such as IGN, TechRadar, Gizmodo, PC Gamer, and more. You can follow her on Twitter @Jackiecobra for the latest news and updates on AI technology and its impact on the gaming industry.